Storage battery post terminal



Aug. 10, 1937. J TElTELBAUM 2,089,718

STORAGE BATTERY POST TERMINAL Filed Jan. 15, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fiz' .5 /7 J j Inuenldr By a 5 Allorhe Aug. 10, 1937.

J. TEITELBAUM 2,089,718

STORAGE BATTERY POST TERMINAL Filed Jan. 15, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J y-(j:

. v Inuenlor efbcsz viz 7222 621702072 M ygzrlm 5 Home}? Patented Aug. 10, 1937 s'rar PATENT OFFICE Joseph Teitelbaum, Br

ookiyn, N. Y., assignor to Teiber Battery Clamp Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 1 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a novel terminal or clamp for connecting the conductor cable to the post of a conventional storage battery, and has specific reference to a structure especially characterized by attributes of requisite newness, and additional means and refinements rendering it aptly fitted to more satisfactorily serve the requirements of expeditious application and removal.

To compensate for some of the distress attending the present day types of clamps and clips and to be commensurate with the requirements of a special adaptation of this character, I have evolved and produced a simple and economical style which is complete without being complex and structurally designed to enable it to be removed and applied without using special tools and implements.

Specifically and structurally visualized, the improved conception embodies a substantially elliptical or V-shaped frame-like clip to embrace the post, the converging ends thereof being provided with post engaging means, and manually manipulated retaining means being associated therewith to provide the desired binding and clamping action and to release it for expeditious removal by a simple finger-lifting hook.

The prior art to which the invention structurally relates is characterized by many different types of terminal post clamps and clips, most of them being made up of relatively heavy cast post embracing members which are not only heavy and unhandy to handle, but do not lend themselves appropriate to facilitate application and 5 removal, especially when surrounded and covered with corrosion.

By way of contrast then, I have evolved and produced a new type of clamp or clip which is notable as distinguishably different from the known art in that it is susceptible of being bent up and expeditiously fashioned from a comparatively light weight pre-formed blank of sheet copper or brass, the arrangement being such that the longitudinal edges of the strip or blank are bent into laterally directed flanges and serrated to provide effective post contacting and gripping teeth.

Another feature is predicated upon a bent strap metal clip wherein the converging ends are "so brought together in a face-to-face engagement and. fastened in such a Way that if it becomes necessary, these ends can be easily pried apart and separated to expedite removal of the clip under extremely abnormal conditions.

" -Of outstanding worth and value n this new 5, 1936, Serial No. 59,281

adaptation is the provision of a laterally bent extension on the strap metal which is fashioned to provide a convenient finger grip which, under ordinary conditions, constitutes a convenient means for easily lifting the clip up off of the battery post.

A further feature has to do with the construction of a battery post clamp wherein the post embracing portion terminates in a longitudinally elongated extension which constitutes the means for detachable connection of the cable therewith, this extension being of sufficient length to permit it to project beyond the casing of the battery to render the cable fastening means easily accessible.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a top plan view showing a post and fragmentary portion of a conventional storage battery and illustrating the improved cable clamp or terminal clip and showing how it is adjusted to extend beyond the wall or casing of the battery.

Figure 2 is a side View of the assemblage depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the irregular line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-section on the line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the blank or strap metal from which the article is readily fashioned.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal or horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 66 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a View similar to Figure 6 showing a different type of a fastening or post engaging screw.

Figure 8 is a view partly in section, and partly in elevation, the same being taken on the plane of the line 8-8 of Figure '7.

Figure 9 is a top plan View, with portions broken away and shown in sections, disclosing a modified embodiment of the invention as hereinafter explicitly described.

Referring now to the drawings, attention is conveniently invited at the outset to the basic article from which the major portion or body of the structure is designed. This consists of a light weight strip of brass or copper which is of general rectangular configuration and longitudinally elongated. This may be divided into a central portion 9 having a screw-threaded hole Ill to accommodate the post clamping bolt to be hereinafter described. One end portion l l is provided with a connecting tongue l2 which is properly bendable through the accommodation or keeper hole l3 adjacent the opposite end. The lastnamed end, which is made up into an extension, as will be hereinafter made apparent, is differentiated by the numeral I 3 and provided with a simple opening E5 to accommodate an additional fastener. The numeral 55 at one end and the numeral 6 at the opposite end define the bendable edge flanges which are bent in at right angles, or out at right angles, as the case may be, to form reinforcing flanges. These are primarily to give strength and rigidity to the finally finished article. The edge portions between the flanges i 5.and it might also be described as flanges, but are in effect cut to provide a multiplicity of post contacting or gripping teeth ll. This is done by merely serrating the flange portions. I might also call attention to the outstanding projection indicated at It, this being provided to function as a finger engaging and clamp lifting hook.

In practice this strap of metal is bent upon itself to form a substantially ovate or elliptical frame which is unitarily designated by the numeral l9. Itwill be observed that the frame is so formed that the end portion M projects Well beyond the aperture l3, and that the bendable tongue I2 is bent through this aperture and clutched in place as particularly illustrated in Figure fi. V This constitutes the means for separably holding the converging end portions of the frame or clip in assembled position. The then complemental'features l 5 and M provide an extension which goes well beyond the 'apex or contracted end portion of the clip so as to project beyond the wall of the 4 battery casing as indicated in Figure 1. Incidentally, the casing is denoted by the numeral A and the conductor cable is indicated by B. This is secured by an appropriate fastening C preferably including a bolt which goes through the 5 simple bolt hole I l It is important to emphasize this extension from the main frame portion of the clip since it goes sufficiently out beyond the battery casing to make the fastener C easily accessible. Hence it is possible, without detaching the clip, to get at the cable and renew it or detach it whenever conditions require it.

It is further evident that the serrations H are bent laterally in to provideteethan-d these effectively engage the post and afiord the requisite electricalcontact. Furthermore, the finger extension I8 is slightly bowed transversely so as to provide a convenient handle for1lifting up the frame or clamp after the binding means is loosened. In connection with the binding means I call attention to the fact that at the central portion 9 I weld on an extra piece of metal. This is a simple segmental piece and is denoted in Figures 6, 7,.and 8, at points 20. This is apertured and threaded in the combined'opening H1 and the one 5 in the part 26 provides the necessary screwthre'aded nutto accommodate the binding bolt. There are two kinds of bolts and oneis shown in Figure 6. This bolt, differentiated by the numeral 2i, is threaded to feed in and out through the 70 screw-threaded hole and is provided on its outer end with a conveniently operable wing nut 22. The inner headed end 23 bears against the post D as shown for example in Figurel. "I also provide at this point a coiled tension spring 24 and a seg-' is sufficient, under certain conditions, to simply use the head 23 of the bolt as the contact and binding element, though under certain conditions the head is somewhat smaller and the washer 25 becomes a part binding means. The spring aids in feeding the bolt 2| in against the post when it is turned in the proper direction. It is evident, however, that the spring and washer arrangement may be omitted undercertain conditions. When this is done it is preferred to use the needle type bolt at 26 as shown in Figure '7.

The pointed end of this indicated at 2! is adapted to fit into a socket formed in the battery post D as indicated in Figure 8. This bolt is also provided with a simple operating wing nut 28.

It is to be noted that the provision of the multiplicity of flanges along the longitudinal edges of the strap metal makes it possible to use this light weight material to make an efficient battery clamp. It provides the requisite teeth assembly affording good contact and also provides rigidity such as is so needed in a light weight arrangement of this character. So far as I have been able to ascertain, it is quite new inthis line to utilize a stamped-out sheet metal blank for the construction of a substantially V-shaped battery clamp. It is believed to bea matter of importance to provide in an elliptical strap metal clamp of this type a binding bolt which is located on'the rounded crown portion and is in opposite relationship to the crotch or V-shaped apex, to provide this diametrically opposite clamping con tinuity. In other words, the tighter the bolt is screwed in, the firmer the post is forcedinto. the crotch portion. This longitudinal alignment of features -26 and the V-shaped crotch is evident in Figures 6 and '7 of the drawings. 7

Furthermore novelty exists in the extension arrangement to accommodate the fasteneras shown in Figure 1 permitting convenient access to be had to the cableB. Thentoo, outstanding novelty is believed to reside in the provision of the integral finger lifting hook l8, and further in the fact that the teeth are the only portions of the surrounding strap which actually bind against the post. This provides for air circulation and is believed to guard against'needless and premature accumulation of corrosion and dirt such as sometimes interfere-with'the application and removal of, the clamp. 7

Attention is now invited to the modification disclosed in Figure 9 of the drawings. Fundamentally, this is the same asthe structure already specifically described. Under the circumstances corresponding parts are .utilized to designate like parts throughout the view. "It will be noted, however, that theprincipal distinction resides in the use ofa' bendable metal bodyforming strap which is .bent uniformly; between its ends, that is, at the approximate center so thatthe free endportions come together in matching relationship. In other words, instead of attaching the endstogether bythe features l2 and I3 shown in Figurex6 for example, the free-ends '29 and 30 .areisimply' formed with reinforcing flanges .3! ,andxapertured. The two apertures register with each other to accommodate a connectingbolt. The bolt is here indicated bythe numeral 32 and on.the threaded end is a thumb or wing nut 33. "The headed end is indicated at'34 and :by'this arrangement the two ends '29 and 130 .are properly. and:sepa-, rablyjointed together. 'Thisbolt also. takes the place of theiconnection C illustrated for example inFigures-G and J7. Inother worda-swith this arrangement the fixture on the cable B may be connected directly to the bolt. Consequently, it has the double function of anchoring the cable and securing the two ends 29 and 30 together. 5 Then, too, it permits the ends to be separated whenever necessary or desired to facilitate removal of the entire unit from the battery post. It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

In conclusion and by way of introduction to the succeeding claim, it is to be pointed out that this application is a continuation in part of a co-pending application for corresponding type of clamp or clip identified as Serial No. 29,164, filed by me under date of June 29, 1935.

What I claim is: A battery post terminal clamp comprising a post-embracing frame of longitudinally elongated substantially elliptical form fashioned from a single strap of metal bent upon itself intermediate its ends, said frame embodying at one end a rounded bight portion provided with a screw-threaded hole, the free end portions of said metal strap being disposed in opposed relation and separably joined and converging in a direction away from said bight portion and forming a substantially V-shaped post receiving and binding crotch, said crotch being in longitudinal alignment with said screw-threaded hole, the upper and lower edges of said strap from said bight portion to said crotch being formed with integral anti-slipping teeth to engage the post, and one of the converging portions of the strap being formed on its upper edge and intermediate portion with an integral outwardly and laterally directed extension serving as a finger gripping and frame lifting hook, and a bolt threaded through said hole for binding and progressive take-up contact with the post, said bolt serving to engage the post at a point diametrically opposite that portion pressed into said V-shaped crotch.

JOSEPH TEI'IELBAUM. 

